AIBA Pro Boxing: Magomedrasul Medzhidov Produces Magic In Morocco Over Mohammed Arjaoui

SUPER HEAVY 91+ KG – FRIDAY, 05 JUNE (20:30 GMT+1)
Location: Marrakesh – Venue: Palais des Sports Congress

An absorbing night of super heavyweight (91+ kg) AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) action in Marrakesh, Morocco was headlined by a scintillating fight between hometown hero Mohammed Arjaoui and two-time AIBA World Champion Magomedrasul Medzhidov.

The clash displayed all of the classic APB characteristics, as both men worked hard throughout with many flashes of brilliance in between.

Despite competing in hostile territory, Medzhidov looked composed from the outset, and after a close first round, the Azeri star knocked down Arjaoui towards the end of the second frame with a fierce left hook.

Buoyed from the support of his home fans, Arjaoui recovered well from the knockdown, and began to make his way back into the fight by using lateral movement and picking his shots well.

Medzhidov’s power was clear for all to see however, and the force of his shots was so strong that his Moroccan opponent did not feel comfortable attacking too often because one mistake would have seen him back on the canvas again.

Arjaoui took the fifth round on all three scorecards as Medzhidov seemed to tire, but he could not maintain the momentum, and was again forced back too often.

After eight rounds of immense quality, two judges awarded Medzhidov the victory with cards of 78-73 and 78-74, while the third judge scored the fight a draw.

Magomedrasul MEDZHIDOV (AZE) vs Mohammed ARJAOUI (MAR)

Medzhidov will now meet four-time Romanian National Champion Mihai Nistor in Cycle I Round 2, after Nistor defeated Magomed Omarov.

Due to a head injury suffered by Nistor the contest was stopped in the fourth round, and Nistor secured a split decision victory as the bout went to the scorecards up to the point of the stoppage.

Elsewhere in Marrakesh, Turkish debutant Ali Eren Demirezen enjoyed a dream APB debut when he stopped France’s Tony Yoka, while Ali Kiydin earned a fourth round TKO success over Ahmed Samir.

Match results:

Tony YOKA (FRA) vs Ali DEMIREZEN (TUR) TKO R5

Mohammed ARJAOUI (MAR) vs Magomedrasul MEDZHIDOV (AZE) W.P. (74:78/73:78/76:76)

Mihai NISTOR (ROU) W.P. Round 4 (38:38/38:38/37:39) vs Magomed OMAROV (RUS)

Ali KIYDIN (GER) TKO R4 vs Ahmed SAMIR (EGY)

HEAVY 91+ KG – FRIDAY, 05 JUNE (20:30 GMT+1)
Location: Milan – Venue: Discoteca Alcatraz

Clinical Clemente Russo defeats Roman Golovashchenko in Milan

The Heavyweight (91 kg) division of AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) produced four excellent fights on Friday night in Milan, headlined by a superb performance from Italy’s Clemente Russo who comprehensively outboxed Roman Golovashchenko in front of a delighted audience.

Chants for Russo reverberated around the building prior to the beginning of his fight, and the decibels grew ever louder as the boxers made their way to the ring.

Golovashchenko was knocked out by Russo in an earlier APB match, and the tall Ukrainian fighter began their rematch with a very high defensive guard to try and negate the power of his Italian opponent.

Russo took control from the outset, as he evaded the frequent Golovashchenko jabs with regular and accurate combination punching.

Each round followed a similar pattern, with the two-time AIBA World Champion starting slowly, before pressurising and punishing any mistakes from Golovashchenko.

Towards the latter stages of the fight Russo began to use a variety of different punches, with his overhand rights and left hooks particularly effective.

Despite losing every round on all three scorecards, Golovashchenko always worked hard, but his inability to throw more than one punch at a time hindered any opportunity to impress the judges.

Due to Russo’s excellent tactics, he maintained his stamina throughout the contest, and finished as strongly as he had started.

All three judges awarded Russo the victory 80-72, and he will next meet Anton Pinchuk in Cycle I Round 2 after the Kazakh boxer defeated Chouaib Bouloudintas.

Pinchuk has a remarkably strong jab which he used well in Milan to win his contest 78-74 on two scorecards, while the third judge scored the fight a draw.

Elsewhere in Italy, London 2012 Olympic Games bronze medalist Tervel Pulev outpointed the previously undefeated Marko Calic, while David Graf enjoyed a debut APB victory over Argentina’s Yamil Peralta.

Match results:

Marko CALIC (HRV) vs Tervel PULEV (BUL) W.P. (77:75/78:74/77:75)

Yamil PERALTA (ARG) vs David GRAF (GER) W.P. (75:77/77:75/75:77)

Anton PINCHUK (KAZ) W.P. (76:76/78:74/78:74) vs Chouaib BOULOUDINATS (ALG)

Clemente RUSSO (ITA) W.P. (80:72/80:72/80:72) vs Roman GOLOVASCHENKO (UKR)

AIBA Pro Boxing Cycle I Round 1 (91+ kg and 91 kg) Preview

Preview: APB Cycle I Round 1
(91+ kg and 91 kg)

Marrakesh, Morocco, and Milan, Italy, will host the AIBA Pro Boxing Super Heavyweight and Heavyweight Cycle I Round 1 on 5 June according to the match schedule below.

SUPER HEAVY 91+ KG – FRIDAY, 05 JUNE (20:30 GMT+1)
Location: Marrakesh – Venue: Palais des Sports Congress

Arjaou and Medzhidov battle for Super Heavyweight Power and Glory in Marrakesh

Marrakesh, Morocco welcomes the biggest weight class in AIBA Pro Boxing (APB), as the Super Heavyweight (91+ kg) division compete in Cycle I Round 1.

All four matches can be watched live at 22:30 (GMT +1) on
https://www.youtube.com/user/AIBAproboxingTV, headlined by Moroccan sensation Mohammed Arjaoui vs two-time AIBA World Champion Magomedrasul Medzhidov.

Arjaoui was last seen in the Inaugural World Title Match where he lost to Champion Erik Pfeifer, while Medzhidov currently holds a 2-1 APB record.

All three of Arjaoui’s victories in this competition has come on points, and the African superstar will hope to achieve a similar result in front of his home fans in Marrakesh.

Despite losing against Pfeifer, Arjaoui impressed many onlookers with his tenacity and skill, and those attributes have seen him defeat Sergiy Verveyko, Mihai Nistor and Tony Yoka in this competition.

Medzhidov is perhaps the most powerful boxer in APB, and dominated his first two contests when he stopped both Sergiy Verveyko and Ahmed Samir.

He is coming off a loss however, after being closely defeated by Magomed Omarov in January.

The Azeri athlete will be looking to put that loss aside by achieving another devastating knockout against a very durable opponent.

This will be the first time Africa hosts the Super Heavyweights, so the home advantage could help Arjaoui as he will enjoy full support in the Palais des Congres.

Expect a tremendously intense contest between these world class boxers, that could finish in a number of ways.

Can Arjaoui keep his composure and box sensibly to seal his fourth points success in APB? Or will the marauding Medzhidov add another highlight reel stoppage to his already glistening record?

Whichever fighter reigns supreme will face either Magomed Omarov or Mihai Nistor in Round 2, as those two fighters will also meet in Morocco.

Omarov has a 3-1 record in this competition which includes an excellent knockout win over Sergiy Verveyko, while Nistor was the very first boxer to win a match in APB.

Elsewhere in Marrakesh, 1-3 Tony Yoka faces Turkish debutant Ali Eren Demirezen, and Ali Kiydin competes against Ahmed Samir.

Match schedule:

20:30: Tony YOKA (FRA) vs Ali DEMIREZEN (TUR)
21:00: Mohammed ARJAOUI (MAR) vs Magomedrasul MEDZHIDOV (AZE)
21:30: Mihai NISTOR (ROU) vs Magomed OMAROV (RUS)
22:00: Ali KIYDIN (GER) vs Ahmed SAMIR (EGY)

HEAVY 91+ KG – FRIDAY, 05 JUNE (20:30 GMT+1)
Location: Milan – Venue: Discoteca Alcatraz

Clemente Russo and Roman Golovashchenko rematch in vital APB Heavyweight contest

Milan, Italy will host the Heavyweight (91 kg) division of AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) on Friday night, as eight boxers compete in four crucial Cycle I Round 1 matches, which can be watched live at 20:30 (GMT +2) at https://www.youtube.com/user/AIBAproboxingTV.

Number one ranked Italian icon Clemente Russo is the main event attraction, and the two-time AIBA World Champion rematches Ukraine’s Roman Golovashchenko in front of his home fans.

Their first meeting was the opening match in APB for both competitors, and Russo reigned supreme after he knocked out Golovashchenko in the fifth round.

Russo later competed in the Heavyweight Inaugural Title Match against Aleksei Egorov, but lost to his Russian rival for the second time in APB in a desperately close contest.

To give himself any chance to battle Egorov again and finally defeat his foe, the two-time Olympic silver medalist will have to beat Golovashchenko once more in Milan.

Golovashchenko has impressed in APB thus far despite a 1-3 losing record, but after being stopped so emphatically in their earlier meeting, the Ukrainian will need to put aside fears of a repeat performance and assert his dominance early.

Questions surround Russo as well, because although he can outperform and finish any man he steps into the ring with, he has lost twice in APB which will concern a man so used to winning.

Can he return to the imperious form which has made him one of the most feared boxers in boxing? Or will Golovashchenko learn from his mistakes from their first meeting and enjoy a career best victory?

This contest will be held over eight rounds, which some believe will favour Golovashchenko who has a longer-format experience from his professional career, yet Russo dominated the latter stages of his title match with Egorov, and has always enjoyed excellent stamina.

The winner of the Russo/Golovashchenko battle will move onwards to Round 2 where they will meet the victor of Chouaib Bouloudintas vs Anton Pinchuk, who compete on the undercard in Milan.

Both Bouloudintas and Pinchuk have won three APB matches against just one defeat, and their styles should gel well to make a very exciting contest.

Two more Heavyweight bouts will feature in Milan, beginning with the undefeated Marko Calic vs London 2012 Olympic Games bronze medalist Tervel Pulev, while Argentina’s Yamil Peralta battles APB debutant David Graf.

Match schedule:

20:30: Marko CALIC (HRV) vs Tervel PULEV (BUL)
21:00: Yamil PERALTA (ARG) vs David GRAF (GER)
21:30: Anton PINCHUK (KAZ) vs Chouaib BOULOUDINATS (ALG)
22:00: Clemente RUSSO (ITA) vs Roman GOLOVASCHENKO (UKR)

AIBA Marks On First Footprint On Its Historical Pro Boxing

After the initial Pre-Ranking Competitions, the historical first Cycle of AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) Matches will begin today, May 30, starting from holding its 60kg matches in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The launch of APB Cycle I Round 1 will be a key moment for the sport of boxing bringing together the world’s top 90 boxers from all four corners of the world to compete in 10 weight categories which represents the pinnacle program at all levels of the sport of boxing.

“The launch of the APB Cycle I is a thrilling moment for the world boxing movement and the whole of sports worldwide. We are creating a truly global revolution in boxing and are providing to the world’s best boxers stable and transparent professional careers. This is a historical moment in many aspects as Cycle is the beginning of great boxing showcases with the skill and power of AIBA boxers with professional competition styles for the first time ever in global boxing realm”, said the AIBA President Dr Ching Kuo-Wu.

APB Cycle I Matches will consist of Round 1, Round 2 (Olympic Qualification Round) and World Title Matches. All matches represent 8 rounds of competitions which will take place until mid-September.

APB Cycle I Matches will be available live on APB YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/AIBAproboxingTV) as well as on local TV channels in some territories, such as Arryadia TV (Morocco), Guizhou TV, CCTV5 (China), Deejay TV (Italy) and MTRK TV (Uzbekistan).

Detail Locations and Match Ups

Round 1 of Cycle I will consist of 40 matches in 10 weight categories. Across two nights on June 6-7, Guyiang in China will host four matches in the Light Flyweight (49 kg) division such as Wu Zhonglin (CHI) vs Carlos Quipo (ECU), Birzhan Zhakypov (KAZ) vs Patrick Lourenco (BRA), Leandro Blanc (ARG) vs Fazil Kaggwa (UGA) and David Ayrapetyan (RUS) vs Ariunbold Ganselem (MGL).

The Flyweight (52 kg) division will meet on June 6 in Sofia, Bulgaria and on June 10 in Mexico City, Mexico with matches involving Elias Emigdio (MEX) vs Fernando Martínez (ARG), Jasurbek Latipov (UZB) vs Ilyas Suleimenov (KAZ), Mohamed Flissi (ALG) vs Sajad Mohammadpour (IRI) and Redouane Asloum (FRA) vs Aleksandar Aleksandrov (BUL).

Guyiang, China will also host four world class Bantamweight (56 kg) contests with Alberto Melian (ARG) vs reigning AIBA World Champion Javid Chalabiyev (AZE), Benson Njangiru (KEN) vs Jiawei Zhang (CHN), Sangmyeong Ham (KOR) vs Matti Koota (FIN) and Hakan Erseker (GER) vs Yoni Blanco (VEN) on June 6 and 7.

APB “Inaugural Title Match” Welter (69 kg) Weight In (Baku)

On May 30, the Lightweight (60 kg) division will meet in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with four matches including Hurshid Tojibaev (UZE) vs David Joyce (IRL), Dmitry Polyanskiy (RUS) vs Robson Conceição (BRA), Charly Suarez (PHI) vs Magomedrashid Dzhabrailov (RUS) and Domenico Valentino (ITA) vs Artur Bril (GER).

Guyiang, China and Mexico City, Mexico will be the distinguished locations for the Light Welterweight (64 kg) boxers on June 10 and June 20 respectively, where four major bouts will take place across two continents headlined by Artem Harutyunyan (GER) vs Evaldas Petrauskas (LTU). There will also be additional bouts between Carlos Aquino (ARG) vs Abdelkader Chadi (ALG), Juan Romero (MEX) vs Chabane Fehim (FRA) and Vyacheslav Kyslytsyn (UKR) vs Livan Navarro (CUB).

On June 19, Russia will welcome the Welterweight (69 kg) division to Moscow, with Rayton Okwiri (KEN) vs Gyula Kate (HUN), Eimantas Stanionis (LTU) vs Andrey Zamkovoy (RUS), Arajik Marutjan (GER) vs Amin Ghasemi Pour (IRI), and Ariosdeny Despaigne (CUB) vs veteran Dimitrios Tsagkrakos (GRE).

The Middleweights (75 kg) will meet on July 17 in Saratov, Russia, highlighted by Russia’s Artem Chebotarev vs Bogdan Juratoni (ROU), with three more matches involving Michel Tavares (FRA) vs Dmytro Mytrofanov (UKR), Hosam Abdin (EGY) vs Xhek Paskali (GER) and Nickson Abaka (KEN) vs Marlo Delgado (ECU).

Two venues in Sofia, Bulgaria and Guyiang, China will welcome four Light Heavyweight (81 kg) matches on June 6 and June 20 respectively, which will feature Commonwealth Games silver medalist Kennedy St Pierre (MRI) vs Spas Genov (BUL), Joseph Ward (IRL) vs Mathieu Bauderlique (FRA), 2013 European Champion Nikita Ivanov (RUS) vs Abdelhafid Benchabla (ALG), and Serge Michel (GER) vs Oybek Mamazulunov (UZB).

On June 5, the Heavyweight (91 kg) boxers will meet in Milan, Italy, headlined by two-time AIBA World Champion Clemente Russo (ITA) vs Roman Golovashchenko (UKR). Also competing will be Chouaib Bouloudinats (ALG) vs Anton Pinchuk (KAZ), Yamil Peralta (ARG) vs David Graf (GER) and Tervel Pulev (BUL) vs Marko Calic (CRO).

The Super Heavyweights (91+ kg) will battle for supremacy in Marrakech, Morocco on the same day, with Mohammed Arjaoui (MAR) vs Magomedrasul Medzhidov (AZE), Magomed Omarov (RUS) vs Mihai Nistor (ROU), Tony Yoka (FRA) vs Ali Eren Demirezen (TUR) and debutant Frank Sanchez (CUB) vs Ali Kiydin (GER).